Side contact rocker-type switch assembly
An electrical switch assembly is provided for use as a single-pole, double-throw switch. The assembly includes a housing having an interior cavity. First and second stationary contacts are positioned on one side of the interior cavity, and third and fourth stationary contacts are positioned on the other side of the interior cavity. A conductive member is interconnected between the first and third stationary contacts. A movable contact member is configured in one operative position to complete an electrical path between the first and the second stationary contacts, configured in a second operative position to complete an electrical path between the third and the fourth stationary contacts, and configured in an inoperative or OFF position to be electrically disconnected from all four stationary contacts. The improved switch assembly eliminates a center contact disposed in the housing, such that the switch assembly is less cumbersome and costly to manufacture and assemble.
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This invention relates to an electrical switch assembly such as a single-pole, double-throw electrical switch, and more particularly to an improved construction of a rocker type switch assembly configured without a center contact.
A known rocker-type electrical switch assembly, such as a single pole double throw (SPDT) switch assembly, typically includes a housing having first and second stationary contacts mounted on opposite sides of an interior cavity. A stationary “center” contact is centrally located between the stationary first and second contacts. In the prior art, the center contact is channel-shaped and interconnected with a prong that extends from the bottom portion of the housing.
A V-shaped movable contact member or rocker formed of an electrically conductive material is engaged with and pivotable about the channel-shaped center contact. The V-shaped movable contact member includes a first leg and a second leg that are operable to selectively connect the center contact to either the first stationary contact or the second stationary contact in response to manual operation of an actuator movably mounted to the housing. Each leg of the V-shaped movable contact member carries a button-type contact that establishes contact with the underlying first or second stationary contacts. Upon the contact member establishing contact, a circuit path is completed from the respective first or second stationary contact and associated prong, through the V-shaped contact member, to the center contact, and on to the interconnected prong. The rocker type switch assembly can be used as a transfer switch assembly to selectively connect an electrical load between one of two separate power supplies, or as a switch assembly to selectively connect a power supply to one of two separate electrical loads.
When in an inoperative or OFF position, the V-shaped contact member 17 is positioned such that the button-type contacts are out of contact with a first 18 and a second stationary contact 19. The V-shaped contact member 17 remains in contact and is supported by the center contact 14. To place the switch in a first ON position, a plunger type actuator is pivoted relative to the switch housing to cause the V-shaped contact member 17 to rock or pivot on one of the walls of the center contact 14. One of the arms of the contact member 17 moves downwardly into engagement with underlying stationary contact 18, completing an electrical path from the stationary contact 18 through the contact member 17 to the center contact 14. When returned to the OFF position, the V-shaped contact member 17 pivots on the wall of the center contact 14, disengaging the contact member 17 from the stationary contact 18.
The center contact arrangement works in a similar fashion with respect to a second ON position, in which the other leg of the V-shaped contact member 17 establishes contact with the respective second contact 19, completing an electrical path from the second contact 19 through the contact member 17 to the center contact 14.
The known rocker-type transfer switch assembly has several drawbacks. For example, the first and the second contacts are located in close proximity to the center contact channel. Because of this proximity, arcing or short circuiting is possible when the first and second contacts are connected to separate electrical inputs. Furthermore, the configuration of the center contact area is cumbersome and inefficient to assemble.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rocker-type switch assembly with a simplified design that is less cumbersome to manufacture, and yet functions in an effective manner to selectively connect a power supply between separate electrical loads, or selectively connect an electrical load between separate power supplies.
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides an electrical switch assembly that includes a first and a second stationary contact positioned on one side of the assembly, and a third and a fourth stationary contact positioned on an opposite of the assembly. A conductive member electrically connects the first and third stationary contacts. The switch assembly further includes a movable contact member configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the first and second stationary contacts in a first position, and configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the third and the fourth stationary contacts in a second position.
The movable contact member may include two pairs of arms. A first pair of arms is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the first and second stationary contacts when the movable contact member is in the first position, and a second pair of arms is configured to establish an electrical path between the third and the fourth stationary contacts when the movable contact member is in the second position. The movable contact member can have a nonlinear configuration, such as in the form of a V-shaped member having the first and the second pairs of arms extending outwardly from a common center or apex. Each of the arms has a contact member secured toward its outer end to engage each of the four contacts. Furthermore, the movable contact member may be pivotable about four centering ears integrated into a housing forming a part of the switch assembly, and to which the stationary contacts are mounted.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an electrical switch assembly that includes a housing having an interior cavity. A first and a second stationary contact are positioned on one side of the interior cavity, and a third and a fourth stationary contact are positioned on the other side of the interior cavity. A movable contact member is configured in a first position to complete an electrical path between the first and the second electrical contacts, and is configured in a second position to complete an electrical path between the third and the fourth contacts, and is further configured in an inoperative or OFF position to be electrically disconnected from all four contacts.
The improved electrical switch assembly eliminates the center contact disposed in the housing, such that the switch assembly is less cumbersome to assemble and less costly to manufacture.
The invention also contemplates a method of selectively connecting an electrical load with a first power supply or a second power supply, substantially in accordance with the foregoing summary. In addition, the invention contemplates a method of selectively connecting an electrical power supply with a first electrical load or a second electrical load, substantially in accordance with the foregoing summary.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.
The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
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Similarly, a movable contact 235 is secured toward the outer end of each contact arm 195. Referring to
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The actuator 40 includes an actuator member 310 pivotally mounted between spaced apart side walls 315 of the cover 35 via a pivot pin 320. The actuator member 310 includes a manually engageable actuator tab 325 in combination with a pair of wings 330 that extend downwardly and outwardly from the actuator tab 325. The wings 330 function to enclose the upper end of the base internal cavity 60 when the cover 35 and the actuator 40 are mounted to the housing base 30.
The actuator member 310 further includes a pair of barrel sections 335 located inwardly of the pivot pin 320. An actuating plunger 340 is mounted for inward-outward movement within a passage 345 defined by each barrel section 335. A spring 350 is received within the passage 345 and biases the plunger 340 in a downward or an outward direction. The plunger 340 includes a generally conical outer end or tip 355 configured to engage and provide movement of the movable contact member 45 in response to pivoting movement of the actuator member 310 about the pivot pin 320.
In operation and as illustrated in
To prevent connection between the stationary contacts 70 and 115, or between the stationary contacts 75 and 120, the electrical switch assembly 20 is maintained in its inoperative or OFF position of
To establish an electrical connection between the stationary contact 75 and the stationary contact 120, the actuator member 310 is pivoted in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin 320 toward the first operative position of
In the position shown in
To break the connection with the stationary contacts 75 and 120, an operator moves the actuator member 310 to the inoperative position of
The configuration of the movable contact member 45 and the stationary contacts 70, 75, 115 and 120 is such that the movable contact member 45 moves smoothly between its various positions simply by selectively “rocking” the central v-portion 185 on the centering ears 297 and 298 of the housing base 30. The flexibility of the arms 190 and 195 ensures that the movable contact member 45 is in full contact with the stationary contacts 70, 75, 115 and 120 when the switch assembly 20 is placed in either of its operative positions. The provision of the v-portion 185 allows the movable contacts 205 and 235 to share a current load equally. The flexibility of the movable contact arms 190 and 195 allows each of the movable contacts 205 and 235 to seek its own seated position, so as to ensure proper electrical contact.
The tabs 280 of the movable contact member 45 are positioned between the respective retaining ridges 295 to maintain the position of the movable contact member 45 within the cavity 60 of the housing base 30. When movable contact member 45 is moved to one of its operative positions, such as the first operative position as shown in
The construction of the movable contact member 45 enables the electrical switch assembly 20 to be employed as a transfer switch, since it is impossible for contact to be established between the stationary contacts 115 and 120. In the event that one of the movable contacts 205 were to become welded to one of the stationary contacts 75 or 120, the movable contacts 235 cannot subsequently be moved toward a position in which the non-welded movable contacts 235 can be brought into engagement with one of the opposite stationary contacts 70 and 115, or vice versa, and thereby avoid creating a common connection of all of the movable contacts 205 and 235. The strength of the material of the movable contact member 45 is selected such that, in the event this were to occur, the biasing force applied by the associated plunger 340 is insufficient to flex the pairs of movable contact arm 190 or 195 by an amount sufficient to establish contact with stationary contacts of opposite polarity.
While the invention has been shown and described with respect to particular embodiments, it is understood that alternatives and modifications are possible and are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. For example, and without limitation, the spaced apart contact arms of the movable contact member are shown and described as being formed integrally with the material of the central v-portion. It is also contemplated that the separate arms of the movable contact member may be formed separately and connected to the central v-portion in any satisfactory manner. Further, the movable contact member has been shown and described as being formed of the material which itself is the conductor that establishes an electrical path between the first and the second contacts or the third and the fourth contacts. It is also contemplated that the movable contact member may be formed of a resilient material, such as plastic, and that the movable contacts and the central v-portion may be in the form of electrically conductive material connected with each other and carried by the movable contact member. In addition, while a specific type of construction is shown for providing pivoting movement of the movable contact member relative to the housing, it is contemplated that any other type of pivot or rocking connection may be employed. In addition, while the invention has been described with respect to two pairs of contact arms which extend outwardly from the center contact area, it is understood that any number of contact arms on either side of the center contact area may be employed. The number of contact arms may be equal or unequal, and the contact arms may be aligned with each other as shown or may be out of alignment with each other. Further, while a specific type of actuator has been shown and described, it is understood that any type of biased actuator which is capable of applying separate downward forces on the separate contact arms may be employed while still gaining the full advantages offered by the central v-portion and the spaced apart contact arms of the movable contact member of the present invention.
Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.
Claims
1. An electrical switch assembly, comprising:
- a first pair of stationary contacts positioned on a first side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a second pair of stationary contacts positioned on a second side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a movable contact member; and
- a conductive member electrically connecting one contact of the first pair of stationary contacts with one contact of the second pair of stationary contacts;
- wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the first pair of stationary contacts in a first position, and wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the second pair of stationary contacts in a second position; and
- wherein the movable contact member connects the first pair of stationary contacts with one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts through the conductive member when the movable contact member is in the first position, and wherein the movable contact member connects the second pair of stationary contacts with one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts through the conductive member when the movable contact member is in the second position.
2. An electrical switch assembly, comprising:
- a first pair of stationary contacts positioned on a first side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a second pair of stationary contacts positioned on a second side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a movable contact member; and
- a conductive member electrically connecting one contact of the first pair of stationary contacts with one contact of the second pair of stationary contacts;
- wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the first pair of stationary contacts in a first position, and wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the second pair of stationary contacts in a second position, and wherein the movable contact member is configured to move to an inoperative position and electrically disconnect from all four stationary contacts.
3. The electrical switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the movable contact member includes a V-shaped section having a vertex between a first pair and a second pair of divergent arms that extend in an outward direction from the vertex in a non-linear fashion.
4. The electrical switch assembly of claim 3, further including:
- a housing configured to enclose the switch assembly, wherein the housing includes a first pair and a second pair of centering ears disposed on each side of the V-shaped section.
5. The electrical switch assembly of claim 4, wherein the movable contact member is operable to pivot about the first and second pairs of centering ears.
6. The electrical switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the movable contact member is configured to move to an inoperative position and electrically disconnect from all four stationary contacts.
7. The electrical switch assembly of claim 3, wherein the electrical switch assembly does not include a center contact configured to engage the V-shaped section of the movable contact member.
8. The electrical switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the movable contact member is configured in a first ON position to engage the first pair of stationary contacts, and is configured in a second ON position to engage the second pair of stationary contacts, and is configured in an OFF position to be electrically disconnected from all four of the stationary contacts.
9. An electrical switch assembly, comprising:
- a first pair of stationary contacts positioned on a first side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a second pair of stationary contacts positioned on a second side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a movable contact member; and
- a conductive member electrically connecting one contact of the first pair of stationary contacts with one contact of the second pair of stationary contacts;
- wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the first pair of stationary contacts in a first position, and wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the second pair of stationary contacts in a second position;
- wherein the movable contact member includes a V-shaped section having a vertex between a first pair and a second pair of divergent arms that extend in an outward direction from the vertex in a non-linear fashion, and wherein the electrical switch assembly does not include a center contact configured to engage the V-shaped section of the movable contact member.
10. An electrical switch assembly, comprising:
- a first pair of stationary contacts positioned on a first side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a second pair of stationary contacts positioned on a second side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a movable contact member; and
- a conductive member electrically connecting one contact of the first pair of stationary contacts with one contact of the second pair of stationary contacts;
- wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the first pair of stationary contacts in a first position, and wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the second pair of stationary contacts in a second position, and wherein the movable contact member is configured in a first ON position to engage the first pair of stationary contacts, and is configured in a second ON position to engage the second pair of stationary contacts, and is configured in an OFF position to be electrically disconnected from all four of the stationary contacts.
11. An electrical switch assembly comprising:
- a first pair of stationary contacts positioned on a first side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a second pair of stationary contacts positioned on a second side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a movable contact member;
- a conductive member electrically connecting one contact of the first pair of stationary contacts with one contact of the second pair of stationary contacts; and
- a barrier disposed between the first and the second contacts;
- wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the first pair of stationary contacts in a first position, and wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the second pair of stationary contacts in a second position.
12. An electrical switch assembly, comprising:
- a first pair of stationary contacts positioned on a first side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a second pair of stationary contacts positioned on a second side of the electrical switch assembly;
- a movable contact member;
- a conductive member electrically connecting one contact of the first pair of stationary contacts with one contact of the second pair of stationary contacts; and
- a barrier disposed between the third and the fourth contacts;
- wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the first pair of stationary contacts in a first position, and wherein the movable contact member is configured to selectively establish an electrical path between the second pair of stationary contacts in a second position.
13. An electrical switch assembly, comprising:
- a housing having an interior cavity;
- a first pair of stationary contacts positioned on one side of the interior cavity;
- a second pair of stationary contacts positioned on the other side of the interior cavity;
- a movable contact member configured in a first position to complete an electrical path between the first pair of stationary contacts, and configured in a second position to complete an electrical path between the second pair of stationary contacts, and configured in an inoperative position to electrically disconnect from all four stationary contacts.
14. The electrical switch assembly of claim 13, wherein the movable contact member includes a first and a second pair of arms that extend from a V-shaped section.
15. The electrical switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the V-shaped section of the movable contact member is configured to pivot about a first and a second pair of centering ears disposed on the housing.
16. The electrical switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the moveable contact member includes a first and a second pair of legs, each leg having a contact portion configured to engage one of the four stationary contacts.
17. The electrical switch assembly of claim 13, wherein a barrier is disposed in the interior cavity of the housing between the first pair of stationary contacts.
18. The electrical switch assembly of claim 13, wherein a barrier is disposed in the interior cavity of the housing between the second pair of stationary contacts.
19. The electrical switch assembly of claim 13, further including an actuator mounted on the housing and configured to move the movable contact member to the first position, the second position, or the inoperative position.
20. A method of electrically selectively connecting an electrical load with a first electrical power supply or a second electrical power supply, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a switch having a first pair of adjacent contacts and a second pair of adjacent contacts, wherein the first pair of contacts and the second pair of contacts are spaced apart, and wherein the switch includes a conductive member between one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts;
- connecting the electrical load with the conductive member;
- connecting a first electrical power supply with one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts;
- connecting a second electrical power supply with one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts; and
- selectively moving a movable contact member to a first operative position in which the movable contact member engages the first pair of contacts and establishes an electrical connection therebetween to connect the first electrical power supply with the electrical load through the conductive member, and a second operative position in which the movable contact member engages the second pair of contacts and establishes an electrical connection therebetween to connect the second electrical power supply with the electrical load through the conductive member.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of selectively moving the movable contact member further includes moving the movable contact member to a third operative position in which the movable contact member is electrically disconnected from all four of the stationary contacts.
22. A method of switching electrical connection with an electrical power supply between a first electrical load and a second electrical load, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a switch having a first pair of adjacent contacts and a second pair of adjacent contacts, wherein the first pair of contacts and the second pair of contacts are spaced apart, and wherein the switch includes a conductive member between one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts;
- connecting the electrical power supply to the conductive member;
- connecting a first electrical load with one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts;
- connecting a second electrical load with one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts; and
- selectively moving a movable contact member to a first operative position in which the movable contact member engages the first pair of contacts and establishes an electrical connection therebetween to connect the electrical power supply with the first electrical load through the conductive member, and a second operative position in which the movable contact member engages the second pair of contacts and establishes an electrical connection therebetween to connect the electrical power supply with the second electrical load through the conductive member.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of selectively moving the movable contact member further includes moving the movable contact member to a third operative position in which the movable contact member is electrically disconnected from all four of the stationary contacts.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 12, 2004
Date of Patent: Mar 7, 2006
Assignee: Reliance Controls Corporation (Racine, WI)
Inventors: Neil A. Czarnecki (Mt. Pleasant, WI), David D. Flegel (Racine, WI)
Primary Examiner: Elvin Enad
Assistant Examiner: Lisa Klaus
Attorney: Boyle, Fredrickson, Newholm, Stein & Gratz, S.C.
Application Number: 10/755,735
International Classification: H01H 3/00 (20060101);